Loose-leaf device.



c. A. HONECKER. LOOSE LEAF DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17, 1909- 6 1 OJ 1 2 I am e D d 6 t H 6 TU ow D1 4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

MW IIIIIIII I I:

INVENTO I Am, ATTORNEY C. A. HONECKER.

LOOSE LEAF DEVICE.

. APPLICATJONHLED SEPT.17. 1909.

1 @Q 31? Patented Dec. 12, 1916. 9 9 o 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 A TTORNE Y c. A; HONECKER.

LOOSE LEAF DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17. 19'J9.

LQ@,31% Patented Dec. 12, U.

4 SHEETSSHE BY ATTORNEY C. A. HONECKER.

LOOSE LEAF DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17. 1909.

Pafiented Dec. 12, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES:

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CHARLES a. noNEoKEaor-cmcAco, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'I'O AUTOMATIC UTILITIES 4 (20., a oonronerron or ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF DEVICE.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patented, Deng, 1L2, T916.

Application filed September 17, 1909. Serial No. 518,228.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that T, CHARLES A. HON- ncnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Loose-Leaf Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to those devices whichare used for loose leaf indexes or any similar purposes in vvhich any predetermined cards may through the medium of a rising bar be elevated above the plane,

of the remainder, and has for its object to provide a new and convenient means for elevating a predetermined number of cards above their normal position.

Practice has shown that in devices of this character, the rising bar is prevented from moving longitudinally by the engagement with the end wall of the casing containing the loose leaf index. The result is, that when the rising bar is to be raised, it presses so hard upon the end wall of the casing that the friction becomes so enormous as to render the device inoperative.

My invention has for its further object to provide means for overcoming this friction, and thus rendering the device operative upon a very slight pressure.

M y means of accomplishing the foregoing may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings, which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specification, in which;

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of my improvement applied to a case for holding index cards. Fig. 2 is a side view partly broken away to show the interior construction. Fig. 3 is a front or end elevation. Fig. -l illustrates a side elevation of the movable bars and the risin bars. Fig. 5 illustrates a top plan view of Fig.1. Figs. (5 and 7 are detailed views of the frame. Fig. 8 is'a side elevationof the spring member which holds the rising bars in their normal position. Fig. 9 is an end view of the spring member. Fig. 10 illustrates detailed views of the rollers on which the sliding bars move. Fig. 11 illustrates a side view and a top plan view of one of the toggles. Fig. 19 illustrates a plan view of one of the rods carrying one of the indicators. Fig. 13 illustrates a similar View showing the connection between the forward end of one of the bars and oneof the indicator rods. Fig. 14 is an elevation of Fig. 13', partly in section. Fig. 15 is a view in elevation of one of the adjustable indicators, and Fig. 16 is a side elevation of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a plan view of a portion of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale. Fig. 18 is a section on line 18 of Fig. 2.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawings, 1 is the casing which is provided with hinged covers 2 and 8. The casing may be formed of wood or any other suitable or desirable material.

4 is the frame, better shown in the detail views, Figs. 6, 7 and is designed to be placed within the casing, so that the mechanism is practically self contained. In the bottom of the frame, I place a plurality of longitudinally movable bars 5. These bars are each provided with hardened bearing rollers 6 and 7, mounted upon suitable bearing plates 8 and 9 which are supported by the bottom of the case, and held in position by any ap propriate means, and are arranged in series of four or more, having their forward ends 10 bent upwardly, each successive end being of greater length than its next one. This variation in hei ht serves to increase the number of indicii tors, which can be placed in front of the box, as more clearly seen in Fig. 3. These indicators each consist ofa push button 11 and rod 12. The slotted portion 13 of the upper end 10 of the respective sliding bars 5, are adapted to engage the recessed portions of the respective indicator rods 12; when by forcing together the sides of the slotted end 13, the rod 12 is securely attached to the sliding bar while it may be readily detached to make changes or repairs. A shoulder 15 is formed upon the rod 12 and adapted to engage a coil spring 16. which is located within a sleeve 17. which is located in the front wall of the casing and through which the rod 12 extends. The spring engaging the shoulder on the rod, tends to hold it normally in an outward or extended position.

A plurality of rising bars 18 are located immediately above the sliding bars 5 and each one of these rising bars is operatively connected to one of the sliding bars by means of toggles 19 and 20. These toggles are pivoted by means of pivots 21 and 22, 23 and 2t, and in their normal position they are as shown in Fig. 4. So, that when pressure is exerted upon push button 11, the sliding bar 5 moves inwardly, carried by the rollers 6 and'T; this -moves the lower end toggles inwardly, and causes the rising bar to move upwardly, but without any longitudinal movement on the part of the latter.

I insure the vertical movement of the rising bar 18 through the medium of a metal 'plate, which acts as an abutment, and is provided with a plurality of vertical grooves, although it may be found desirable in practice to form the plate of corrugated material instead of milling the slots out of a solid metal.

I. have found considerable difiiculty in devices of this character, due to the tremendous, amount of friction exerted by the end 25 of the rising bar 18, making the device practically inoperative. I have overcome this by means of placing an anti-friction bearing member which will slide easlly 1n the groove in the metal plate at the back of the casing 1. It Will be obvious that this metal plate acts as an abutment for the rising bar 18. As an example of an anti-friction bearing member, I have shown a small roller 26 in the end of the bar adjacent the toggles, it being apparent that it can be mounted upon the pivot 24, so as to avoid the necessity of an additional journal bearing. Although I have shown a roller, it is apparent that any other anti-friction device can be used for this purpose. The frame a is provided with bearing surfaces upon which the rollers 6 and 7 and 26 roll. A bracket 27 is secured to the rear end wall of the casing 1, and carries a fiat bow spring 28, more clearly seen in Fig. 8. This spring has secured to its outer ends a cross bar 29, the pressure of the spring being exerted downwardly operating to hold the rising bar normally, in the position shownin Fig. 4.

The operation of the device is as follows: A plurality of cards is placed in the casing and each card is provided with an indi cator 17 clamped on the lower edge thereof, in such a manner as to be capable of being adjusted along the lower edge of the card to any desired position, or in a position whereby the same will engage a certain lifting bar. The lifting bars which are arranged in parallel relation to each other and extend along the bottom ofthe case are-at right angles to the cards and are coupled by links to a corresponding sliding bar, said Sliding bars being operatively' connected to the stems of the buttons 11, extending out of the front of the casing. The various cards are given difi'erent designations corresponding to the designations of the push buttons 11, thereby distinguishing the cards into groups. It follows, when .one of the push buttons 11 is operated the corresponding sliding bar and its respective lifting bar are caused to move upwardly, thereby contacting with indicators on certain cards and consequently lifting a predetermined group of cards above the remaining cards in the case. By adjusting the indicators across the lower edges of the cards,- a direct relation between certain cards and any given push button may be established. The device will then operate as a selected mechanism and if the push button is operated all of the cards of one group, or the cards hearing the same designations as the button, will be automatically raised above the remaining cards of the. case.

Practice has shown, that in use it is nearly if not quite impossible to place 500 cards in one of these boxes as heretofore constructed, and have the device operate, as the pressure upon the cards at the rear is so great as to render it impossible for one to overcome the friction with the pressure which can be exerted upon the push button by means of a finger or thumb. I have avoided this by forming a plurality of slots 30 and 81 on the inner wall of the side of the easing, and in these slots I locate spacers 32, which may be formed of any suitable material. These spacers operate to separate the cards into desirable divisions, which will permit of the elevation of any of the cards without the friction being detrimental.

Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a casing having a plurality of cards therein, of a plurality of rods for displacing one or more cards from normal position, aroller mounted in the end of each displacing rod, a guide for said roller consisting of a metal plate provided with a plurality of vertical grooves fitting to the rollers on the ends of the bars.

2. In a device of the character described the. combination with a casing of a plurality of cards therein, a plurality of card displacers, a plurality of keys secured to pins mounted in the front wall of the casing, operatively connected to and adapted to elevate the card displacers, spring actuated means to hold the displacers normally on the bottom of the casing, a plurality of rollers mounted in the ends of the displacers, a plate secured to the inside of the rear wall of the casing having a plurality of guide cl1annels formed therein fitted to and coinciding with the rollers on the ends of the displacers.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a casing of a plurality of cards therein, a plurality of card displacers, a plurality of keys secured to pins mounted in the front wall of the casing. operatively connected to and adapted to elevate the card displacers, means to provide a graduated spring pressure for holding the displacers normally on the bottom of the casing and increasing the tension on them as they are elevated,

4:- A device of the character described,

comprising a casing, a plurality of longitudinally movable bars, mounted in said casing, a plurality of rollers in said bars upon which they roll, and a plurality of rising bars connected thereto whereby the longitudinal movement of the first bars operates to elevate the rising bars.

5. A device of the character described,

plurality of journal bearings in each of said bars, a roller mounted upon each journal I bearing upon which the bars roll, a plurality of rising bars corresponding in number to the longitudinally movable bars, and connected thereto, whereby the longitudinal movement of the latter operates to elevate the rising bars, a roller mounted upon the inner end of each of the rising bars, the outer end of each of the longitudinal rods being bent upwardly, a horizontal rod secured thereto, which extends through the front wall of the casing, a sleeve rigidly secured in said front wall, and a coil spring in said sleeve which engages a shoulder on the horizontal rod, said rod being'held normally in an extended position.

7.. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a plurality of longitudinally movable bars mounted in said casing, a plurality of rising bars connected to the longitudinally movable ones, whereby the longitudinal movement of the latter operates to elevate the rising bars, each of the longitudinally movable bars having its forward end bent upwardly, spring actuated means to hold the rising bars in their lowest position, and a roller mounted upon the inner end of each of the rising bars.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a plurality of longitudinally movable bars, mounted in said casing, a plurality of rising bars connected thereto, whereby their longitudinal movement operates to elevate the rising bars, a journal bearing mounted upon the inner end of each of the rising bars, and a roller mounted upon each of said journal bearings, the longitudinally movable bars being arranged in series of four, having their for- .ward ends extending upwardly, said portion of each successive bar being greater in length than the next adjacent one.

9. A device of the character described,

comprising a casing, a frame in said casing,

a plurality of longitudinally movable bars mounted in said frame, a plurality of rollers in each of said bars upon which they roll,

a plurality of rising barscorresponding in number to the longitudinally movable bars I connected thereto,'whereby the longitudinal movement of the latter operates to elevate the rising bars, the longitudinally movable bars being arranged in series of four and having their forward ends bent upwardly, said upwardly extending portion of each successive bar being greater in length than the next adjacent one, spring actuated means to hold the rising bars in their lowest position, a roller. mounted upon the inner end of each of the risingbars, and bearing surfaces for the rollers to roll upon formed upon the frame.

10. A mechanism comprising the combination with a casing, of a plurality of cards, a plurality of longitudinally movable bars" mounted in'said casing, a plurality of rising.

bars connected to the longitudinally jmov able ones, whereby theirlongitudinal move 1' ment operates to elevate the risingbars, 7 roller mounted upon the inner end of each of the rising bars, the forward end of each of the longitudinally movablebarsbeing bent upwardly, a horizontal rod secured thereto extending through the fr'ont wall of the casing, a sleeve rigidlyjsecured in said front wall, a coil spring in said sleeve,which engages a shoulder on the horizontal rod,

said rod being held normally in an extended position, a spring rigidly securedto the rear wall of the casing, adapted to hold the rising bars in a retracted position, there being a plurality of slots in the side walls of the casing, and a plurality of spacersjlocated therein. v

v 11. A device of the character described,

comprising a casing, a frame in said casing,

a pluralityof longitudinally movable bars -mounted in said frame, a plurality of rollers in each of said bars upon which they roll, a plurality of rising bars connectedto the longitudinally movable ones, whereby their longitudinal movement operates to elevate the I rising bars, each of the longitudinally movcasing having a plurality of cards therein,

a plurality of rods for displacing one or more cards from normal position, a vertical guide for said rods consisting of a metal plate provided with a plurality of vertical grooves, bearing members on the ends of said rising rods fitting to the vertical grooves.

13. In a card index, a case, cards in said case, means on the cards distinguishing them into groups, lifting bars for the cards oooperating with said means on the cards, longitudinally slidable bars associated with respective lifting bars, a parallel link connection between the slidable bars and the respective lifting bars, an abutment, bearing members connected to one end of the lifting bars and engaging the abutment, and means for operating the slidable bars.

14. In a card index, a case, cards in said case, means on the cards distinguishing them into groups, lifting bars for the cards'cooperating with said means on the cards, longitudinally slidable bars associated with respective lifting bars, a parallel link connection between the slidable bars and the respective lifting bars, an abutment provided with guides, bearing members connected to one end of the lifting bars and engaging the .guides, and means for operating the slidable bars.

15. In a card index, a casing, cards in said casing, means on the cards distinguishing them into groups, lifting bars for the cards cooperating with said means on the cards, longitudinally slidable bars associated with the respective lifting bars, a parallel link connection between the slidable bars and the respective lifting bars, an abutment, bearing means connected to one end of the lifting bars and engaging the abutment, and

means for operating the slidable bars.

' 16.. In a card index, a case, cards in said case, means on the cards distinguishing them into groups, lifting bars for vthe cards 00- operating with said means on the cards, longitudinally slidable bars associated with the respective lifting bars, a parallel link connection. between the slidable bars and the respective lifting bars, an abutment, provided with guides, bearing means connected to one end of the lifting bars and engaging the guides, means for operating the slidable bars.

17. In a card index, a case, a series of longitudinally slidable bars mounted on the bottom of the case, a corresponding series of lifting bars located above the slidable bars, a parallel link connection between the slidable bars and the respective lifting bars, bearing means connected to one end of the lifting bars, an abutment for said means on which they are vertically slidable, means for operating the slidable bars, and cards in the case above the lifting bars, means on said cardsdistinguishing them into. groups adapted to be elevated by the lifting bars, a lifting bar being provided for each group of cards.

18. In a card index, a case, a series of longitudinally slidable bars mounted on the bottom of the case, a corresponding series of lifting bars located above the slidable bars, parallel link connections between the slid able bars and the respective lifting bars, bearing means connected to one end of the lifting bars, an abutment for said shoes on which they are slidable, means for operating the slidable bars, cards in the case above the lifting bars, means on said cards distinguishing them into groups adapted to be elevated by the lifting bars, and a lifting bar provided for each group of cards.

19. In a card index, a case, a series of Iongitudinally slidable bars mounted on the bottom of the case, a corresponding series of lifting bars located above the slidable bars, a parallel link connection between the slidable bars and the respective lifting bars, bearing means connected to one end of the lifting bars, an abutment for said means on which they are slidable, means for operating the slidable bars, cards in the case above the lifting bars, means on said cards distinguish ing them into groups adapted to be elevated by the lifting bars, a lifting bar being provided for each group of cards, and guides on the bottom of the case for the slidable bars.

20. In a card index, a case, a series of longitudinally slidable bars mounted on the bottom of the case, a corresponding series of lifting bars located above the slidable bars, a parallel link connection between the slidable bars and the respective lifting bars, bearing means connected to one end of the lifting bars, an abutment for said means on which they are slidable, means for operating the slidable bars, cards in the case above the lifting bars, means on said cards distinguishing them into groups adapted to be elevated by the lifting bars, and a lifting bar being provided for each group of cards.

21. In a card index, a case, cards in said case, means on'the cards distinguishing them into groups, lifting bars for the cards of the respectivegroups, longitudinally slidable bars, a parallel link connection between each sliding bar and its respective lifting bar, an abutment, bearing means connected to one end of the lifting bars and engaging the abutment, resilient means opposing the movement of the lifting bars in one direction, and means for operating the slidable bars. v

In testimony whereof, I have signed the foregoing specification.

CHARLES A. HONECKER.

Witnesses:

C. M. BAUMEISTER, T. GOLDSMITH. 

